Joe Szakacs MP serves as the Member for Cheltenham and holds the position of Minister for Police, Emergency Services and Correctional Services. He was elected in February 2019 through a by-election, succeeding the Hon. Jay Weatherill.

Born at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and raised in Royal Park, Joe received his education from local primary and secondary schools and attended universities in Australia and the US. He is a qualified legal practitioner admitted to the Supreme Court of South Australia.

Before his political career, Joe held various roles in trade unions, legal practice, and as a company director in the superannuation and insurance industries. He was elected Secretary of SA Unions, the apex body for trade unions in South Australia, and served as the organization’s leader for five years. During his tenure, he held national positions with the Australian Council of Trade Unions, including the National Executive and National Growth and Campaigns Committee.

Joe also served on the Board of Directors of Statewide Super and held several positions, including Chairman of the Remuneration and Nomination Committee, and a member of the Investment Committee. He participated in various global forums for workers’ capital and pension funds, such as the Global Union’s Committee on Workers’ Capital and the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investment. Additionally, he held director roles on the boards of the South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission and Return to Work SA.

Joe is a former representative swimmer, having competed nationally and internationally. He held multiple South Australian records, was a member of the South Australian Sports Institute, and received a scholarship to swim for the University of Missouri (USA) Swimming Team.